Classification of Matter and Chemistry Basics

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key concepts, definitions, state changes, and classifications of matter from lecture notes.

Matter

Anything that occupies space and is made up of everything, existing as a solid, liquid, gas, or molecule.

Not Matter

Anything that does not occupy space, such as space, light, and other forms of energy.

Ion

An atom or molecule with an electric charge caused by an uneven number of electrons-photons.

Basic Physical Properties of the States of Matter

Solids have a fixed shape, fixed volume, and low compressibility; liquids have a container shape, fixed volume, and moderate compressibility; gases have a container shape, container volume, and high compressibility.

Sublimation and Deposition

Special forms of phase change between solid and gas that occur at room temperature under normal Earth atmospheric pressure without changing under normal temperature variations.

Carbon Dioxide (Phase Change Behavior)

A substance that cannot form liquid state naturally on Earth because atmospheric pressure is too low, requiring forced pressure in a lab environment.

Matter Flow Chart

A classification diagram categorizing matter into pure substances (elements, compounds) and mixtures (homogenous solutions, heterogeneous colloids and suspensions).

Mixture

A combination of $2$ or more different particles that are not chemically combined.

Homogenous Mixture (Solution)

A substance that is even throughout with no visible difference between components, cannot be separated easily, and allows light to pass through.

Heterogenous Mixture

A mixture with a non-uniform composition where visible differences between components can be seen.

Colloids

A heterogeneous mixture where particles are evenly suspended throughout a medium without settling, cannot be filtered, and scatter light due to constant bumping and electric charges.

Suspension

A heterogeneous mixture of solid in liquid where particles settle over time, showing a clear separation and scattering light.

Pure Substance

A single type of material with a definite composition and distinct properties.

Element

A pure substance found on the periodic table.

Compound

A pure substance made up of $2$ or more different elements.

Molecule

A group of $2$ or more atoms held together by chemical bonds.

Tyndall Effect

The scattering and reflection of light waves by mid-sized or larger particles in a mixture, making the beam of light visible.

Wavelength Scattering in Tyndall Effect

Blue and purple light have shorter wavelengths and scatter more strongly, while red and yellow light have longer wavelengths and scatter less strongly.

Solute

The smaller amount of a substance in a solution that is being dissolved.

Solvent

The larger amount of a substance in a solution that dissolves the solute.

Polar Molecule

A molecule with an asymmetric shape and an uneven electric charge distribution.